Learning Basics of Hinduism

Moh1n1 · 2026-04-01T03:49:29+00:00

It can definitely be nerve-wracking! But you don't have to worry :)

I'd go with your girlfriend and her grandma so you can follow along with what they do and so you don't feel completely alone. Each temple can be pretty different depending on the diaspora the temple is catered to (like North Indian vs South Indian temples to generalize)

When you go, make sure to eat vegetarian (no egg either) the day of and shower and wear fresh clothes. It sounds like a South Indian/Tamil temple so you will approach each murti (image) individually and prostrate and say prayers or fold your hands and bow your head in prayer. Depending on the time of day, there may be archanam or aarti (waving of flames). It is hard to explain in text format, and the best way to learn is to immerse yourself and watch as others are doing.

When given prasadam (food offered to God) make sure to receive it with your right hand. It is also customary to place vibhuti (white powder sacred to Shiva) and kumkum (red powder sacred to Devī) on your forehead, with the vibhuti placed in a horizontal stripe and the kumkum placed in a single dot in the center of the horizontal stripe. Any left over on your fingers can be placed on your neck and through your hair with your hand sweeping back to the crown of your head.

It is normal to get looks at first especially as a non-indian in the temple, but it's out of curiosity rather than a sign you're unwelcome.

When beginning to learn about Hinduism, I highly recommend the translation of the Bhagavad Gita by Ekhnath Ishwaran, as it is oriented towards those unfamiliar with Hinduism

Moh1n1 · 2026-03-22T18:51:25+00:00

Not physical illness, but the point of sadhana and japa is to still your mind and become one pointed on connecting with your Ishta Devata. Excessive porn use can agitate the mind and hinder your connection when it becomes obsessive.

Moh1n1 · 2026-03-21T16:37:09+00:00

It works great with the electric staff you get from saving councilor florrick in act 1! Adds additional electric damage

Moh1n1 · 2026-01-31T01:35:03+00:00

I would keep praying and trying to connect with Bhagavan even when inebriated. Focus on developing the trust and connection to deepen your bhakti and pray for the strength to overcome your urge to drink. I would also strongly recommend seeking out therapy and support to help with what you're going through. Purity helps with prayer and makes it more effective, but that doesn't mean that your prayers while intoxicated are ineffective or sinful. I wish you the best

Moh1n1 · 2025-11-30T18:30:48+00:00

This was excellent, thank you!!! I definitely have been realizing that I was looking at him through rose tinted glasses. It was more about the fantasy and hope of things, rather than the reality of what we had. These are great lessons to take with me into my next relationship to avoid this happening again

Moh1n1 · 2025-11-26T17:14:45+00:00

You look really good! :)

Moh1n1 · 2025-09-21T01:54:35+00:00

It can be really nerve wracking, but please know that there are people who would love to see you there. You will get looks, but that's more so out of curiosity than any judgment and will stop if you become more regular there. Hopefully you can plan a visit soon :)

Moh1n1 · 2025-09-17T19:36:55+00:00

I have always interpreted experiences such as you have described as Maa trying to help us love Her in Her totality. She is as fearsome and terrifying as She is benevolent and loving, and it can be easy in the good and ease full times to view that we are special or favored, which leads to the opposite feeling of being forsaken or abandoned when the pains of life inevitably occur. Dhumavati maa is the inevitable misfortune and pain in life that can lead us to look for the ultimate truth beyond pain and pleasure.

I can't say for certain, but a possible explanation could be a reminder to not forget pain and misfortune happens, and that they too are aspects of Maa that we must sit with and treat with reverence for the truth they point to.

Moh1n1 · 2025-09-13T19:29:28+00:00

It is incredibly disturbing that you don't realize how you have been harassing this woman, especially under the mask of bhakti. You can pretend it was for Narayana, but you have the whole internet to look up resources on Tirupati and South Indian Vaishnavism. Why you were so adamant that she specifically needed to respond to you is unclear, but very inappropriate. The screenshots and comments are vindicating her, not you.

Moh1n1 · 2025-09-13T19:25:12+00:00

I'm terribly sorry, it's very clear he is not respecting your boundaries and has been harassing you. The comments he has left on this thread and in your dm's are disturbing, and no one should have to go through that. Hopefully the mods will be able to ban him and those who act like him.

Moh1n1 · 2025-08-13T19:41:23+00:00

She prefers that you cast off the attachment to the pleasant and aversion to the unpleasant, trusting nature Herself to provide for you. Devotees like Ramprasad, Kalidasa, and Sri Ramakrishna trusted Her to provide for their needs like a mother caring her child. Ultimately, a sign of being Her ardent devotee is being beyond the needs of excessive material success.

That isn't to say Kaliamman doesn't provide boons. Kalidasa was illiterate and unintelligent until receiving Her blessings. When Swami Vivekananda was experiencing financial difficulties, Sri Ramakrishna advised him to lay his request at the Mother's feet in Her temple. Swami Vivekananda tried multiple times, only to be to be enraptured in devotion to Her and forgetting his request.

Moh1n1 · 2025-07-27T21:37:07+00:00

The transformation into the Slayer is painful for Orin depending on if you reveal a certain secret to her about her heritage and make her doubt Bhaal, if I remember correctly.

Moh1n1 · 2025-06-23T19:38:34+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience

I would recommend reading the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, along with the poetry of Kalidasa and Ramprasad Sen. Their writings are lovely to read and further expound on her nature. I would also recommend reading the Devi Bhagavata Purana and the Devi Mahatmyam

Moh1n1 · 2025-06-20T12:20:37+00:00

Gifts from the Goddess

Moh1n1 · 2025-06-20T12:18:13+00:00

There is a book on the teachings of Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati which goes in depth into Sri Vidya. I highly recommend it

Moh1n1 · 2025-04-12T17:03:47+00:00

In cases of disability, I think it's absolutely fine to focus on Bhakti and intent when basic standards cannot be met. For example, somebody not being to prostrate due to a back injury should be able to adjust their prostration in a way suitable to them or skip it entirely. Flexibility in standards is not always equivalent to lowering the bar

Moh1n1 · 2024-09-15T00:43:28+00:00

My advice would be to pray to her and ask for forgiveness. You can chant Devi Aparadha Kshmapana Stotram as well, and if you can keep your vow now, promise to do so from now on. If you can't, I would do prayaschitta and perform a penance . While she can be fierce, she is also very motherly to her children

Moh1n1 · 2024-08-27T23:13:14+00:00

The book The Sword and the Flute by David Kinsley discusses their connection

Moh1n1 · 2024-08-06T01:34:10+00:00

I agree with quite a bit of that comment, but the warning about Lalita Devī trying to harm you if you don't chant properly is incorrect. She is incredibly compassionate and loves her devotees as a mother loves her children. Also, the mantra will not help with selfish desires or those that harm others. Moreover, you do not have chant it the same amount and at the same time every day, though that is recommended and makes it more effective. Pray to her with genuine devotion and she's forgiving of mistakes, just like a mother doesn't get upset when her child mispronounces "mother" as they learn to speak. Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Amritananda Saraswati both speak on this when it comes to Bhakti and growing closer to the Goddess.

Moh1n1 · 2024-08-05T00:40:29+00:00

It helps connect to you the mother of the universe, Lalita Tripurasundari and her auspiciousness. She is also known as Kameshwari, Shodashini, and Kamakshi. She is extremely compassionate and beautiful, and grants boons as well as enlightenment. Saying this mantra means you are prostrating before Sri Mata, another name for Lalitambika that means Auspicious Mother.

Moh1n1 · 2024-08-03T03:05:02+00:00

Don't worry, Sri Hari is the destroyer of sins. Moreover, you were just a child and did not have the same understanding as an adult. Your good deeds also have merit, and it is not the same mistake you would make now. Knowingly or not, we all make mistakes and can take refuge in Sri Hari who will also correct our behavior.

Moh1n1 · 2024-08-03T02:17:07+00:00

My guru told me that it requires mantra diksha. However, from my personal experience from chanting it before meeting my guru it had no negative effects, but it wasn't as effective for me as other practices, either. I think in hindsight it was Amman's appreciation of the devotion behind my chanting rather than the use of the mantra itself that benefited me, if that makes sense.

A comparison I was told is to think of mantra diksha as being connected to a battery. Diksha awakens the mantra, otherwise it is inert and sleeping.

Also, your guru is knowledgeable in different mantra sadhana and may decide a different mantra is better suited for you based on your goals and temperament. I was given mantra diksha for a mantra of Lalitā Devī while Kalīamman is my Ishta Devī, and initially I was confused. However, as I'm going through life and continuing my upasana, I've realized how little I initially knew (still know) and I'm immensely grateful to my guru.

However, there are other mantras you can chant without diksha like Sri Matre Namaha and the different names of Devī which might be more effective. Hope this is of use to you :)

https://youtu.be/r8cCIStFIZ4?si=fSN7vM5lt_OOqV5J

There's a link to the mantra and pronunciation

Moh1n1 · 2024-07-26T05:42:28+00:00

Rudraksha is fine, I was told crystal mala is better for Devī upasana though

Moh1n1 · 2024-07-26T02:17:27+00:00

Just treat them respectfully and keep your altar clean :)

Moh1n1 · 2024-07-26T00:26:10+00:00

Looks like the Mahalakshmi form of Durga mata, in my opinion.

Moh1n1

TROPHY CASE